Tyneside Scottish

TS History

First World War

The origins of the Tyneside Scottish are in the Kitchener's Army and the call to arms in World War I. The Recruitment to the British Army during World War I saw the raising of the Pals battalion. The Tyneside Scottish Committee was formed and raised the Tyneside Scottish Brigade of four service Battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers. The Brigade's first major action was the Battle of the Somme where it sustained a large number of casualties. The Brigade was subsequently brought up to strength and served at Armentiers, Battle of Arras (1917), and the final battles of 1918. The Brigade was disbanded in 1919.

20th (Service) Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish)Formed at Newcastle, 14 October 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City.June 1915 : came under orders of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division.Landed in France in January 1916.3 February 1918 : disbanded in France.

21st (Service) Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish)Formed at Newcastle, 26 October 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City.June 1915 : came under orders of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division.Landed in France in January 1916.3 February 1918 : disbanded in France.

22nd (Service) Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish)Formed at Newcastle, 5 November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City..June 1915 : came under orders of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division.Landed in France in January 1916.17 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength; returned to England 18 June 1918 with the 16th (Irish)Division.18 June 1918 : absorbed new 38th Bn, and then attached to 48th Brigade, 16th Division. Landed in France in July 1918.

23rd (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish)Formed at Newcastle, 16 November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City..June 1915 : came under orders of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division.Landed in France in January 1916.17 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.17 June 1918 : transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division.29 July 1918 : transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. 20 September 1918 : transferred with 197th Brigade to Lines of Communication.

29th (Reserve) BattalionFormed in Alnwick in July 1915 as a reserve battalion, from depot companies of Tyneside Scottish Bns.1 September 1916 : converted into 84th Training Reserve Battalion in 20th Reserve Brigade

The Battalion became part of of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). On 23 April 1940 whilst only partly trained and under equipped the unit was sent to France. On the 20 May 1940 the unit was encircled by the advancing German Army and after five hours of fighting was overrun.Those who were not casualties or taken prisioner were evacuated from Dunkirk.

Following a period of Home Defence, 1TS joined the 49th (West Riding) Division and were sent to Iceland. Returning to England in 1942 to preparefor the Invasion of Normandy in 1944.

The Tyneside Scottish landed in Normandy 12th June 1944 (D+6). The Battalion were engaged in Operation Martlet gaining the Battle Honour "Defence of Rauray". Following the Battle and subsequent actions in the Caen area, the Battalion was reduced to cadre strength and subsequently placed in suspended animation.